Quranic root
نعج
n · ʿ · j
A root centered on color, especially clear or pure whiteness, with extensions to animals characterized by whiteness or beauty and to several specialized lexical usages.
The classical lexicon connects the color principle with the ewe and other female wild animals, prized or swift camels, fullness after eating, and smooth fertile land. These developments are broader root-level associations and are not all direct Qur'anic meanings of the attested form.
- Maqāyīs · row 4677
- Mufradāt · row 1457
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 4
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
نَعْجَةٌ
naʿjahun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 4 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A ewe; the female of the sheep.
In the Qur'anic usage, the singular نَعْجَة and plural نِعَاج refer to sheep females, including the contrasted flock and individual ewe in 38:23–24.
- Lane · entry 44031
- Mufradāt · row 1457
Selected Quran examples
Quran 38:23word 7
“ewe(s)”
Quran 38:24word 7
“his ewes”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 4 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 13 Classical meanings
نَعَجَ
To be of a clear or pure white colour.
A Form I verbal use describing clear whiteness in a person, thing, or colour.
- Lane · entry 44028
نَعَجٌ
Pure whiteness.
Nominal or verbal-noun use for the quality of whiteness.
- Lane · entry 44030
- Mufradāt · row 1457
نَعِجٌ
Of a clear or pure white colour.
An adjectival description; in the expression نِسَاءٌ نُعْجُ المَحَاجِرِ, it describes women whose areas around the eyes are clear white.
- Lane · entry 44030
نَعِجَ
To become fat and in good condition; to increase and become swollen or inflated.
A Form I verbal use for becoming plump or enlarged.
- Lane · entry 44028
نَعِجَ
To become heavy in the stomach after eating mutton.
An idiomatic Form I use describing the digestive effect of eating sheep meat.
- Lane · entry 44028
نَعَجَ
Of a camel: to move swiftly or go with a particular pace.
A Form I use describing a camel's speed or manner of travel.
- Lane · entry 44028
أَنْعَجَ
Of a people's camels: to become fat.
Form IV, in the construction أَنْعَجَ القَوْمُ.
- Lane · entry 44029
نَعْجَةٌ
The female of certain wild ruminants, including wild cattle, gazelles, and wild sheep; specifically a wild cow in نَعْجَةُ الرَّمْلِ.
A broader Classical usage distinct from the Qur'anic ewe sense.
- Lane · entry 44031
نَعْجَةٌ
A woman.
Figurative or tropical Classical usage.
- Lane · entry 44031
نَاعِجٌ، نَاعِجَةٌ
A camel or she-camel of beautiful or white colouring, especially one that is prized or of generous race.
An adjectival use applied to camels; feminine نَاعِجَةٌ is used for a she-camel.
- Lane · entry 44033
نَاعِجَةٌ
A swift, light, or active she-camel, including one used for hunting wild cattle.
A specialized description of a she-camel's activity or use.
- Lane · entry 44033
نَاعِجَةٌ
A woman of beautiful complexion or colour.
An adjectival Classical usage.
- Lane · entry 44033
نَاعِجَةٌ
Smooth, level land that is fertile and produces the shrub known as الرِّمْث.
Used in the construction أَرْضٌ نَاعِجَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 44033
- Mufradāt · row 1457
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The public Qur'anic form is cited under singular نَعْجَةٌ, while the same QAC form group includes the inflected plural نِعَاج.
The broader Classical uses for wild animals, women, camels, and land are kept separate from the Qur'anic ewe sense.